In a long awaited move today by the 9th Circuit Court of
California the pending extradition cases against the H-Block
Three: Pol Brennan, Terry Kirby and Kevin Barry Artt have been
reversed.

Rita O'Hare, Sinn Fein Representative to the United States upon
hearing the news said:

``Pending the full resolution of these cases, today's action by
the 9th Circuit is a long awaited and welcome action.

``Today's decision is a real victory for Kevin Barry Artt, Terence
Kirby and Pol Brennan. These three men should never have been
arrested and we look forward to their imminent return to their
families.

``The British government has opposed bail and has pursued the
extradition of these men in the midst of the Peace Process. They
should be immediately released on bail pending the full
resolution of their cases. The British government should
withdraw the extradition warrants.

``In the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement and the logic of the
peace process, all prisoners have to be released. It is
reasonable to believe that this decision will stand.''